Metal Roof Repair
How to Maintain a Metal Roof: General Tips
Learning how to maintain a
metal roof is important to ensure that the roofing will last as long as
possible. With proper care, this type of roofing material outlasts many
others. It is not unusual to see the roofs last for 50 years or even
longer.
New roofs often come with manufacturer’s care
instructions for the material. If you don’t have the care instructions,
you may be able to evaluate the material on your own to determine the
composition.
It is important to use compatible materials
when doing any repairs. Otherwise, corrosion can occur. If you have
difficulty making this evaluation, a good roofing contractor can help.
For most roofs, maintenance and repair is
relatively simple. You will need a sturdy ladder. Ideally you should
have someone on the ground to hold the ladder as you are climbing up and
down.
You should only attempt this if you are
comfortable with the height and you feel that the maintenance or repair
work can be done safely. Otherwise, you should contact an EPDM roofing
contractor.
Once you are at a point where you can
evaluate the area, you should start by looking for loose nails, rusty
patches, holes or other signs of damage. If you are aware of an existing
leak, you will need to take steps to repair the leak.
In general, how to maintain a metal roof
involves removing debris, such as leaves and branches. Any loose nails
should be pulled and replaced. Hammering the nail back down may not be a
good idea.
Nails are not always used for installation.
Some roofs are installed using screws. Screws tend to stay in place as
the years go by while nails work their way loose over time.
Urethane roofing cement is usually used for
caulking around seams, edges and flashing. Learning how to maintain a
metal roof involves learning how to use the urethane cement because it
provides better protection from UV damage than plastic or asphalt type
cements.
Occasionally, re-caulking will be necessary
as a part of regular maintenance. Look for cracked or damaged caulk
seams and peel the old caulking away as necessary. Cracks in caulking
caused by hail or flying debris are sometimes the causes of leaks.
Existing leaks may be due to a small hole
which can be patched relatively easily using compatible materials. If
you learn how to maintain a metal roof properly and you take the
necessary steps on a regular basis, you may never have to worry about
learning how to patch holes.
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